FanNation

In most cities across the country most MLB fans are gearing up for the last month of the season and teams are making their playoff push. 

However on the South Side things haven't exactly turned out as planned and the Sox are in a heated battle for last place with the Kansas City Royals.  At the start of the season I would have though this was impossible but that's exactly were they are at.   I knew this was going to be about a .500 team and I was WAY off.  So on the South Side we ask what's next???

So let's indentify your core players, and whose on the way out; 

(Pitching Staff Core) Mark Buehrle, Bobby Jenks, Javier Vazquez, John Danks.  I'll even go on record and say that Matt Thornton is also one of those core guys too, but he's close to being on the fence.

[Possible trade bait] John Garland with free agency coming up there's a good chance John Garland will be moved during the offseason.  Remember Kenny tried moving him last offseason but didn't pull the trigger in the end.

{HE GONE!} Jose Conteras & MacDougal, anyone who has watched these guys this year knows what I'm talking about.

Outfield; Right field- Dye is here for another 2 years, personally I would have liked Kenny to move him.  I feel Dye's best days are behind him and he was the best bat available(-texteria) at the trade deadline.

Centerfield-Erstad he'll stay but only because he brings value as a left handed bat and plays first base, but Kenny will make a splash at this position in the offseason

Leftfield-Pods IS great when he gets on base and can steal.  He hasn't done this in a while {He GONE!}

3^rd base- Joe Crede[possible trade bait] or Josh Fields, if Kenny is as good as I think he is he'll move Crede this offseason.  Crede is a clutch player and one of my favorite Sox, but a third baseman with chronic back problem spells a big problem, then add Josh Fields play into the mix.  I wouldn't mind them keeping Crede and playing Fields in left, but we'll see what happens

SS- Uribe{HE GONE!} at least he better be, he can throw around the leather and hit from some pop, but I've seen enough of him in a Sox uniform

2ndbase- Interesting position, do the Sox stay young and develop Richar, or look for a free agent?  Personally I give Richar a shot but find a capable backup

1^st & Catcher- this 2 positions are a lock with A.J. & Paulie

Other Moves;  Find a setup man and long reliever in the offseason.  Scott Linebrink looks awfully appealing and I believe he's a free agent at the end of this year. This offseason Kenny Williams will fine tune this ball club.  Kenny was extremely arrogant going into the season and he got bit for it.  He won't make the same moves, but if this team isn't competitive in 08 we'll be talking about finding a new GM.